English, MA

The Master of Arts degree in English (MA) is a flexible degree program aimed at students interested in research and advanced study in literature, composition/rhetoric, creative writing, TESOL, film, and English pedagogy. Designed to deepen knowledge of the various fields of the discipline of English, the degree enhances students' understanding of the roles that language, literature, writing and rhetoric play in human societies and individual lives. Through coursework, students hone their critical thinking, reading, writing, editing, research, and presentation skills. Some students are practicing secondary school teachers who seek a master's degree in English for professional licensure and career advancement, and others intend to pursue college teaching and academic scholarship as a career. While the M.A. degree prepares the majority of students to teach English in secondary school and college settings, other English alumni employ skills developed in the program in their work as editors and copywriters, creative and technical writers, entrepreneurs, librarians, and administrators of cultural institutions. By strengthening students' communication and research skills and professional qualifications, our program provides a foundation for success in a diverse array of careers. Matriculated students have the option to coordinate their electives to pursue a concentration in one of these four areas: Literature and Film, Composition and Rhetoric, Creative Writing, or Linguistics.

“The skills I learned while completing my MA helped me to truly understand how to think critically and deeply about important world issues. I got my start as a freelance travel writer by publishing a creative essay about cross-cultural encounter that I had written while I was a student at Bridgewater; my writing has been featured on Matador Network, BootsnAll, GoNOMAD, and Journey Beyond Travel. In my current position as Deputy Head of School and Curriculum Coordinator at ISHCMC - American Academy in Vietnam, I continually apply what I've learned at Bridgewater in my educational leadership.

Completing my MA in English at Bridgewater State University helped me gain a competitive edge in applying for international school teaching positions. Because of my success in the MA program, I was hired as an adjunct instructor with Syracuse University's dual enrollment program for high schools. I've since pioneered teaching Syracuse's Academic Writing and Creative Nonfiction Writing courses to students in Vietnam.”

Heather Carreiro, MA in English Graduate

Admissions Requirements

Online application and $50 application fee

Resume

Transcripts - Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work

Minimum GPA - Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 based upon four years of course work or a 3.0 undergraduate GPA based upon work completed in the junior and senior years.

Degree - An undergraduate major or minor in English, or at least 5 English courses at the undergraduate or graduate level. Comparable preparation in other humanities fields will be considered.

Letters of Recommendation - Three appropriate letters of recommendation. Ideally, at least two of the recommenders should be faculty members, although applicants with relevant and extensive work experience could submit letters from other professionals or supervisors.

Personal Statement - A 400-500 word statement of purpose, including reasons for undertaking the degree, relevant experience and aptitude, career goals, and academic topics of interest within English studies.

Expedited Admissions Requirements

For students who graduated from Bridgewater State University with a BA in English (within the past 5 years) and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in English major course work:

One letter of recommendation from a member of the graduate faculty in English at BSU

Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work

A 450-500 word statement of purpose, including reasons for undertaking the degree, relevant experience and aptitude, career goals and academic topics of interest within English studies

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: April 1Spring Semester: October 1Summer Session: February 1

Applications will be accepted and reviewed after these dates but must be complete within four to six weeks prior to the start of the semester.

Exit requirement (6 credits)Complete one of the following culminating exercises:

Thesis optionStudents who choose this option will research and write a thesis, a work of independent scholarship or creative writing. Those who choose to write a thesis should select a thesis director and committee and submit a thesis proposal to the graduate school for approval. The completed thesis must be approved by the thesis director and thesis committee. While a six-credit thesis is the norm, a three-credit thesis may be elected for a project developed out of and expanding prior coursework. Theses in creative writing must also include a 10-15 page essay situating the craft of the creative work in relation to scholarship relevant to the genre, style or thematic concerns.ENGL 502 - MA Thesis (6-credit thesis, or 3-credit thesis plus one additional 3-credit elective in English)

Non-thesis optionStudents who choose not to write a thesis must fulfill the following requirements:Two additional electives (6 credits) in any 500-level English (ENGL) coursesElectronic submission of a portfolio of revised writing produced in coursework. Students must submit two research papers of 10-15 pages each and two presentations or projects; concentrators in creative writing should also submit samples of their creative work. The graduate committee will evaluate portfolios to assess if the student has demonstrated proficiency in the skills outlined in the program's learning outcomes. If the portfolio is deemed inadequate, students will be required to take a three-credit ENGL 503 - Directed Study to revise the portfolio with faculty mentoring.

Total minimum credits: 33

Optional concentrationsWith their 15 credits of electives (including courses taken for the exit requirement), the student can opt to pursue a concentration in one of four fields. Those students wishing to take electives across the breadth of our curriculum areas would simply not choose a concentration. Students must have completed 12 credits for the MA in English, including ENGL 500, before declaring a concentration for their electives. The four concentration areas are:

For English concentrations, please complete the required courses within the MA in English program, as well as the required concentration courses as specified below.

English, MATThe Master of Arts in Teaching degree in English (MAT) was developed for high school and middle school English teachers who seek professional licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With coursework in the Departments of Education and English, the MAT program provides a balanced emphasis on building advanced teaching skills and deeper content knowledge within the discipline of English studies. Applicants to the MAT program must already have initial licensure to teach in the state.

English, Composition and Rhetoric Concentration, MAThis concentration within the MA in English provides students the opportunity for research and advanced study in the field of composition and rhetoric. Students who seek careers in college or high school teaching or professional writing may find this option particularly beneficial.

English, Creative Writing Concentration, MAThis concentration provides students the opportunity for advanced study of the art and craft of creative writing. Students who intend to pursue an MFA in creative writing, teach at the college or high school level, or pursue a career in editing, journalism, or professional writing may find this option particularly beneficial.

English, Linguistics Concentration, MAThis concentration within the MA in English provides students the opportunity for research and advanced study in linguistics. Students who seek careers teaching linguistics at the college level, teaching adult English learners or diverse high school populations, or teaching English abroad may find this option particularly beneficial.

English, Literature and Film Concentration, MAThis concentration provides students the opportunity for research and advanced study of literature and film. Students who seek careers in college or secondary school teaching, cultural institutions, publishing, or review-writing may find this option particularly beneficial.